USING TECHNOLOGY: OUTSIDE OF CLASS

There are several ways to use technology outside of class to help you achieve course goals. One way to expand on information discussed in class is the use of Blackboard discussion groups. Teachers can use these groups to disseminate class information or to establish an arena in which students interact with one another about various topics or class activities. There are a number of ways to stimulate online discussions:

• Ask students to post their responses to a selected reading or homework problem.
• Initiate a conversation on a topic not fully covered during class time.
• Have students post potential discussion questions for the next class.

As with in-class discussions, be sure students know how their contributions will be evaluated and graded.

Another way to deepen and assess student learning outside of class is to use online quizzes. These can be created on Black-board, and questions could address in-class material or outside reading assignments. Making the completion of online quizzes worth points in the class will likely increase class participation, and requiring completion of online quizzes over reading assignments before class will increase the number of students who do the readings prior to class. Moreover, online quizzes can be set up in such a way that students can take them multiple times, thus gaining practice working with material and increasing understanding.

For information on how to create online discussions and quizzes, contact Instructional Development and Support (785) 864-2600.